I have been working at Stony Brook University as an intern (Less than a year)

Pros

It was a great opportunity to work with professors at Stony Brook as well as attend many interesting lectures and relevant workshops on posters, for example. Also got a tour of Brookhaven National Lab.

Cons

There was not a lot of community building events to get to know the other Simons Fellows. The accepted students are all amazing and I wish I was able to get to know all of them better.

Advice to Management

The program was organized well, but it did feel like a very independent experience for all students.

I have been working at Stony Brook University full-time (More than a year)

Pros

Proximity to NYC, there are some "superstar" professors, it is close to brookhaven national laboratory.

Cons

almost everyone is stressed, a lot of people don't speak english, people pretend to work all the time, it is not a well known institution, there is nothing to do around stony brook!

Advice to Management

treat phd students with respect, they are not slaves, they are starting their career, instead of taking orders from you, they could be working in companies and making real money. pay students more, organize more events for socialization.